A court in South Korea sentenced former President Yoon Suk Yeol to five years in prison on Friday after finding him guilty of charges connected to his 2024 declaration of martial law. The Seoul Central District Court delivered the verdict on January 16, 2026, convicting Yoon on charges that included obstructing an arrest warrant, fabricating official documents, and violating procedures required to impose martial law.
During the proceedings, Judge Baek Dae-hyun stated that Yoon failed to uphold his duties as president. “Despite having a duty, above all others, to uphold the Constitution and observe the rule of law as president, the defendant instead displayed an attitude that disregarded the… Constitution,” Baek said in court.
Following the verdict, one of Yoon’s lawyers, Yoo Jung-hwa, announced plans to appeal the sentence. “We express regret that the decision was made in a politicised manner,” Yoo told reporters outside the courthouse. The former president has seven days to file an appeal.
Yoon’s defense team argued throughout the trial that the declaration of martial law was within his presidential authority. They contended the action was a response to what Yoon described as obstruction of government functions by opposition parties.
The charges stem from Yoon’s declaration of martial law in December 2024, which was met with public protests and ultimately led to his impeachment and removal from office by the country’s legislature.
This court decision is the first verdict related to the former president’s actions. According to news agency reports, Yoon faces a separate, ongoing trial on a more serious charge of insurrection. A verdict in the insurrection case is expected in February. Following Friday’s sentencing, supporters of the former president gathered outside the court to protest the decision.
